Locker Assembly with Interlocking Panels

ABSTRACT

A method of using uniform interlocking shelves and supports to install a customizable storage system inside the confines of a standard locker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

A claim of priority is made in this application based on Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/992,726 filed on May 13, 2014 and entitled “Locker Assembly with Interlocking Shelves” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The invention related to the system and method of installing shelving within the confines of a standard personal storage locker.

2. Background of the Invention

The present invention is a useful and novel method for improving the functional space within a conventional personal locker. The ubiquitous locker, available at country clubs, sports facilities, educational institutions and work environments is characterized by a vacuous inefficient space. Typical internal configurations are sparse and may include a floor, a single shelf, a rod for hangers, and a double prong hook for outerwear.

Locker Dimensions.

Locker are produced into basic opening heights: twenty-four (24) inches, thirty (30) inches, thirty-six (36) inches, sixty (60) inches and seventy-two (72) inches.

Standard lockers width are seven and half (7.5) inches, nine (9) inches, twelve (12) inches, fifteen (15) inches, eighteen (18) inches, and twenty-four (24) inches. Almost all school lockers are only available in three widths: nine (9) inches, twelve (12) inches, fifteen (15) inches.

Locker Door Width.

In addition to the interior dimensions, the locker is constrained by the width of the opening, often referred to as door flange in the prior art, that is generally two (2) to three (3) inches smaller than the interior width of the locker. If the opening is twelve (12) inches or larger, the interior width is fifteen (15) inches. A door width of nine (9) to ten (10) inches indicates the interior width is twelve (12) inches. If the door is only six (6) to seven (7) inches, the locker's interior width is nine (9) inches. A door of less than six (6) inches opens to a locker that is seven and half (7.5) inches in interior width. Clearly, the locker flange defines another restricting constraint for inserting and assembling a shelving assembly.

Construction of the Locker.

Lockers typically have a substantially horizontal floor and top connected to a substantially vertical back, parallel sides, and front flange. The flange serves as a frame to the locker door and prevents the door from swinging past the locking position.

Lockers are most commonly constructed with metal or wood. Metal lockers are then painted with a high-sheen coating that produces a slick surface that is easy to clean. However, the smooth nature of the locker makes it difficult to attach legless shelves to the surface. Much of the art for patent shelving attempts to solve the problem with a variety of magnets, bumpers, cranks and tilted shelving.

Wood construction provides its own set of challenges. The wood interior is more susceptible to damage by art that attaches to the sides or back of the locker. Therefore, solutions for wood lockers are limited to leg-based systems.

Design Considerations.

The challenges for designing a locker shelving assembly include:

-   -   1. The large number of possible height and width combinations;     -   2. The need to be able to assemble or place within the confines         of the locker space;     -   3. The door flange is narrower than the interior dimensions;     -   4. Avoiding damaging the interior sides of the locker with         clamps or braces;     -   5. Avoiding damaging the interior floor of the locker with a         sliding shelf unit;     -   6. Un-assembling the locker shelving within the confines of the         space;     -   7. Types of desired configuration such as hanging vertical         shelves, hanging horizontal shelves, resting vertical shelves         and resting handing shelves;     -   8. Slick polished interior surfaces.         All the locker systems heretofore known suffer from a number of         disadvantages:         Require the use of tools to assemble.

Particularly evident in earlier design of the prior art, the user would need to assemble the item using a variety of nuts and bolts that require the use of tool within the confined space. With uprights pressed against the sides and back of the locker, the designs are difficult to assemble and secure.

Reliance on suspension schemes.

Many of the designs in the art attempt to reduce the constructible elements for the benefit of efficient storage, shipment and manufacture. These systems introduce problems such as damaging of the interior of the locker and the challenges of leveling the shelf during installation.

One Size Fits All.

For prior art designs such as rotatable collapsible kits, the design is limited to one or two standardized sizes. This introduces several problems to the practical use of the design. For instance, a locker system that is significantly smaller than the locker interior or flange allows the shelf be accidently pulled out from the locker space while trying to extract stored items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An invention, which meets the needs stated above, is a system and method to assemble a shelving system within the confines of a locker. The system provides a single panel which may alternately function as the shelving floor, sides, vertical shelves, horizontal shelves, and top of the locker assembly. Additionally, the system may be suspended substantially near the top of the locker or rest on the bottom of the locker.

The system comprises of a panel which may function as both the supports and shelves. The assembly and locking function are integrated into the panels.

The user would use at least two of panel to create the shelf system. In a vertical embodiment the support panel would be placed on the floor of the locker and the shelf would slide through a channel from the locker opening to the forward-facing locker wall. The user then moves the interlocking shelf into the locked position. Additional vertical shelves may be added. The shelves are adjustable to provide customizable spacing between the shelves.

In a horizontal embodiment, interlocking support panels would be placed on facing locker sides and resting on the floor. A shelf is then assembled from the top by sliding the tenons through the channels and locking into the groove lock at the desired location. The user is able to provide both a shelf that rests slightly above the locker floor and an interlocking shelf that acts as a ceiling to the structure.

Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the system for Patent Locker Assembly with Interlocking Panels described above, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

-   -   a) to provide interchangeable shelving that can also be used as         the walls, back, top or bottom of the shelving unit;     -   b) to provide manufacturing and packaging efficiencies;     -   c) to provide shelves which may be assembled within the confines         of a locker unit;     -   d) to provide shelving which can be customized to the size and         storage requirements of the user;     -   e) to provide shelving to securely hold accessories such as a         pencil box;     -   f) to provide a shelf assembly which is stand-alone and doesn't         rely on the inside walls of the locker;     -   g) to provide a shelf assembly which may be unassembled to store         and move.         Further objects and advantages of this invention will become         apparent from a consideration of the drawings and the ensuing         description of the drawings.

DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention. In the figures:

FIG. 1A.—Front perspective view of a standard locker in the prior art.

FIG. 1B.—Top view of the interior dimension of the locker in the prior art.

FIG. 2A. —Perspective front view of interlocking shelf.

FIG. 2B.—Exploded front perspective view of interlocking shelf.

FIG. 3A.—Top front perspective of one interlocking shelf being assembled into another interlocking shelf.

FIG. 3B.—Top front perspective view of shelving assembly with interlocking support resting on the locker floor to support an interlocking shelf in the vertical position.

FIG. 4.—Top perspective view of the shelving assembly with an interlocking support holding an interlocking shelf in the horizontal position.

FIG. 5.—Top perspective view of the shelving assembly with an interlocking support holding an interlocking shelf in the top horizontal position in the C-channels.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   10 Locker -   15 Interior -   16 Width -   17 Depth -   20 Locker front flange -   25 Locker opening, opening -   30 Locker door, door -   35 Latch -   40 Locker top -   50 Locker floor, floor -   60 Locker side, wall -   65 Locker back, forward-facing locker wall -   70 Pre-installed locker shelf -   80 Pre-installed locker hanging bar, bar -   90 Interlocking shelf, shelf panel, shelf, shelves -   95 Interlocking support, support -   100 Tenon, raised tenon -   110 Tenon sleeve -   120 Groove, sliding channel bar -   130 Groove locks -   132 H channel groove lock -   134 C channel groove locks -   140 Shelving assembly, shelving unit -   150 Open mortise, mortise

DEFINTIONS

Locker opening—the shortest distance from one vertical locker flange to the parallel locker flange. Generally equal to the width of the locker door.

Locker interior—space inside the locker as defined by the locker sides, locker floor, interior locker top, flange and locker door. The width of the locker interior is the dimension from one locker side to the opposite parallel locker side. The depth of the locker interior is the shortest distance between the locker flange and the forward facing locker wall.

Groove locks—short grooves within the interlocking support that run perpendicular to the sliding channel bar.

H-channel groove locks—In a preferred embodiment, formation of groove lock that form the pattern of the letter “H” perpendicular to the sliding channel bar.

C-channel groove locks—In another preferred embodiment, a formation of groove lock that form the pattern of the letter “C” from the sliding channel bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements,

FIGS. 1A-1B

Turning to FIG. 1A showing a front perspective view of a standard locker 10 in the prior art. The locker 10 comprises an interior 15; locker front flange 20 acting as a seat for the locker door 30; opening 25; door 30; latch 35 for securing the door 30 into the flange 20; top 40; floor 50; walls 60 to the left and right of the opening 25; back or forward-facing locker wall 65; optional pre-installed locker shelf 70, and optional pre-installed locker hanging bar 80. While component such as a door 30, walls 60 65, locker top 40, and floor 50 could refer to both exterior and interior elements, for the sake of the present invention, the inventors will refer to the interior elements of the locker 10.

1B presents a top view of the interior dimension of the locker 10 in the prior art. The space inside the locker 10 as defined by the locker sides 60, locker floor 50, interior locker top 40, flange 20 and locker door 30.

The width 16 of the locker interior 15 is the dimension from one locker side 60 to the opposite parallel locker side 60. The depth 17 of the locker interior 15 is the shortest distance between the locker flange 20 and the locker back 65. The distance between the facing flanges 20 is the opening 25.

FIGS. 2A-2B

Referring now to FIG. 2A, illustrating a front perspective view of an interlocking shelf 90 which may be also used as an interlocking support 95. The interlocking shelf, or shelf panel, 90; comprises a raised tenon 100; a tenon sleeve 110; a sliding channel bar 120; groove locks 130 which can be either an H channel groove lock 132 or a C channel groove lock 134; and an open mortise 150.

The shelves may be comprised of plastic, metal, wood or any suitable material for manufacture.

The tenon 100, of the interlocking shelf 90, rests on the tenon sleeve 110 and glides through the sliding channel bar 120 before resting in the groove locks 130 of the interlocking support 95. This allows the shelves 90 to be supported in either the vertical or horizontal position.

The interlocking support 95 may be comprised of more than one type of groove locks 130. In one embodiment, the C channel groove locks 134 are in the shape of “C” and only point in one perpendicular direction as the sliding channel bar 120. When used on the edge of the interlocking support 95, the groove locks 130 allow for an interlocking shelf 90 to be used as either a floor or ceiling to the shelving unit 140. In another embodiment, the C channel groove locks 134 may be used to secure vertical interlocking shelves 90.

In a second preferred embodiment, the H channel groove locks 132 are in the shape of an “H” and point in both perpendicular directions from sliding channel bar 120. They may be located on the centermost sliding channel bars 120 or may comprise all sliding channel bars 120. These allow the interlocking support 95 to hold a shelf 90 no matter which side of the support 95 is vertically resting on the locker floor 50. In another embodiment, it permits the vertical shelves 90 to be locked to either the right or left of the channel bar 120.

FIG. 2B shows an exploded perspective front view of interlocking support 95 and shelf 90. The grooves 120 in the interlocking support 95 crisscross each other which allows the interlocking shelf 90 to be assembled from the top, when the shelves 90 are in the horizontal position, and from the locker opening 25 when the shelves 90 are assembled in the vertical position. Therefore the shelving assembly 140 may be assembled inside the confines of the locker 10.

Once the shelf 90 is slid into the desired groove 120, the user locks the shelf 90 into place by tapping the shelf into the groove locks 130. This allows the tenon 100 and tenon sleeve 110 to secure in the groove locks 130. The groove locks 130 are either in the shape of a “C” or “H.” The open mortise 150 allows stacking of the interlocking supports 95 such that the tenons 100 of one support 95 rests in the mortise 150 of the adjacent support 95.

FIGS. 3A-3B

FIG. 3A is a front perspective illustration of a shelving assembly 140 with an interlocking shelf 90 being assembled into an interlocking support 95. In this embodiment, the support 95 is resting on the locker floor 50. The shelf 90 is slid through the locker opening 25, into the sliding channel bar 120 until it reaches the locker back 65. The assembler then taps the vertical shelf 90 in the groove locks 130 to form shelves 90 parallel with the locker sides 60. In another embodiment, the vertical shelves 90 may be assembled outside the locker 10 by sliding them into the groove 120 of the horizontal support 95. Once the shelves 90 are in place in the grooves 120, the assembler may place the unit 140 into the locker 10 before tapping the vertical shelves 90 into the groove locks 130.

FIG. 3B depicts the top front perspective view of a shelving assembly 140 with interlocking support 95. The interlocking support 95 is resting on the locker floor 50 to support an interlocking shelf 90 in the vertical position. The shelf 90 is slid through the locker opening 25, into the sliding channel bar 120 until it reaches the locker back 65. The assembler then taps the vertical shelf 90 into the H channel groove locks 132 to form vertical shelves 90. The assembler has the option of securing the shelf to either side of the groove 120 using the H channel groove locks 132.

FIG. 4

Turning our focus to FIG. 4, we find a top perspective view of a shelving assembly 140 with an up-right interlocking support 95 holding an interlocking shelf 90 in the horizontal position. For visual clarity, the figure only shows one interlocking support 95, but the assembler would likely use one on both sides of the locker width 16. With the supports 95 resting against the locker walls 60, the assembler places a shelf 90 on the top portion of the interlocking support 95 and slides the shelf 90 downward in the groove 120 until they reach the desired horizontal height at a horizontal groove 120. The assembler next slides the shelf 90 onto the horizontal groove 120, at the desired height, and presses down to secure into the groove locks 130.

FIG. 5

FIG. 5 demonstrates a top perspective view of the shelving assembly 140 with an interlocking support 95 holding an interlocking 90 shelf in the top horizontal position to form a ceiling for the assembly 140. For visual clarity, the figure only shows one interlocking support 95, but the assembler may use one on both sides of the interlocking shelf 90. With the supports 95 resting against the locker walls 60, the assembler places a shelf 90 on the top portion of the interlocking support 95 and slides the shelf 90 downward in the groove 130 until they reach the first horizontal groove 120. The assembler next slides the shelf 90 on to the horizontal groove 120, at the desired height, and presses upward to secure into the groove locks 130. This allows the shelf 90 to act as a ceiling. The groove locks 130 also provides a means to suspend inside the locker 10 from the pre-installed locker shelf 70 or pre-installed locker hanging bar 80. The shelf panel 90 would be fitted with an attachment that snaps into the groove locks 130 and then is secured to the pre-installed locker shelf 70 or bar 80.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, the advantages, associated benefits, specific solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims of the invention. As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus composed of a list of elements that may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

ADVANTAGES

From the description above, a number of advantages become evident for the “Locker Assembly with Interlocking Panels.” The present invention provides all new benefits for participating parties including manufacturers, users, and locker owners:

-   -   a) allows manufacturers to limit the number of elements         produced;     -   b) allows manufacturers to limit packaging requirements;     -   c) allows manufacturers to produce accessories fitting         interlocking elements;     -   d) allows manufacturers to produce elements in various         materials;     -   e) allows users to customize installed shelves to individual         needs;     -   f) allows users to customize shelving width without relying on         sides and back of locker for support;     -   g) allows users to choose the orientation of their shelving;     -   h) allows users to hang their assembly from a preinstalled         locker shelf or hanging bar;     -   i) allows users to place assembly on locker floor or locker         shelf;     -   j) allows users to customize the color or pattern of the         components;     -   k) allows users to stack assemblies;     -   l) allows locker owners to allow customized shelving without         concerns over locker damage. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shelving assembly, comprising: at least one interlocking shelf having a quadrilateral periphery with four right angles; each of the interlocking shelf further includes at least two parallel sliding channel bars; each of the interlocking shelf further includes at least one sliding channel bar perpendicular to said at least two parallel sliding channel bars; said at least one sliding channel bar comprising at least two perpendicular groove locks; each of the interlocking shelf comprising at least four tenons attached to at least four tenon sleeves and located on the periphery adjacent to the openings of the at least two parallel sliding channel bars; at least two interlocking supports having a quadrilateral periphery with four right angles; each of the at least two interlocking supports further includes at least two parallel sliding channel bars; each of the at least two interlocking supports further includes at least one sliding channel bar perpendicular to said at least two parallel sliding channel bars; said at least one sliding channel bar comprising at least two perpendicular groove locks.
 2. A shelving unit for a locker, comprising; two parallel interlocking supports having a quadrilateral periphery with four right angles configured to rest vertically on the floor of the locker; each of said two parallel interlocking supports further includes at least two parallel sliding channel bars; each of said two parallel interlocking supports further includes at least one sliding channel bar perpendicular to said at least two parallel sliding channel bars; said at least one sliding channel bar comprising at least two perpendicular groove locks; at least one interlocking shelf having a quadrilateral periphery with four right angles; each of said at least one interlocking shelf comprising at least four tenons attached to at least four tenon sleeves and located on said periphery; the interlocking shelf placed over the upper ends of the two parallel interlocking supports so the shelf's tenon sleeves align with the interlocking supports' said at least two parallel sliding channel bars; said shelf's tenon sleeves are received by the parallel interlocking supports' at least two parallel sliding channel bars; said shelf's tenon sleeves are received by the parallel interlocking supports' said at least one sliding channel bar; said shelf's tenon sleeves are received by said at least one sliding channel bar's at least two perpendicular groove locks.
 3. A shelving unit for a locker, comprising; one interlocking support having a quadrilateral periphery with four right angles configured to rest horizontally on the floor of the locker; the one interlocking support further includes at least one sliding channel bar parallel to the locker walls; said at least one sliding channel bar comprising at least two perpendicular groove locks; at least one vertical interlocking shelf having a quadrilateral periphery with four right angles; each of the vertical interlocking shelf comprising at least two tenons attached to at least two tenon sleeves and located on said periphery; said vertical interlocking shelf placed through the locker opening so the vertical interlocking shelf's tenon sleeves align with the interlocking support's said at least one sliding channel bar; the vertical interlocking shelf's tenon sleeves are received by the interlocking support's at least one sliding channel bars; the vertical interlocking shelf's tenon sleeves are received by the at least one sliding channel bar's at least two perpendicular groove locks. 